Antenna module and electronic device including the same

ABSTRACT

An antenna module includes a first antenna unit including at least one first patch antenna pattern, at least one first feed via, and at least one first dielectric layer, a second antenna unit including at least one second patch antenna pattern, at least one second feed via, and at least one second dielectric layer, a first connection portion, a first rigid substrate electrically connecting the first connection portion to the first antenna unit and having a first surface on which the first antenna unit is disposed, a base connection portion, a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the first connection portion is disposed and a second surface on which the base connection portion is disposed, and an IC electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate or the first rigid substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0094913 filed on Aug. 5, 2019 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to an antenna module and an electronic device including the same.

2. Description of Background

Mobile communications data traffic is increasing rapidly on a yearly basis. Technological development to support such a leap in data in real time data traffic in wireless networks is actively underway. For example, applications of the contents of Internet of Things (IoT) based data, live VR/AR in combination with augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and social networking services (SNS), autonomous navigation, a synch view for real-time image transmission from a user's view point using a subminiature camera, and the like, require communications for supporting the exchange of large amounts of data, for example, 5th generation (5G) communications, millimeter wave (mmWave) communications, or the like.

Thus, millimeter wave (mmWave) communications including 5G communications have been actively researched, and research into the commercialization/standardization of antenna modules to smoothly implement such millimeter wave (mmWave) communications have been actively undertaken.

Radio frequency (RF) signals in high frequency bands of, for example, 28 GHz, 36 GHz, 39 GHz, 60 GHz and the like, are easily absorbed in the course of transmission and lead to loss. Thus, the quality of communications may deteriorate sharply. Therefore, antennas for communications in high frequency bands require a different technical approach from related art antenna technology, and may require special technological development, such as for separate power amplifiers or the like, to secure antenna gain, integrate an antenna and a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and secure Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) and the like.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

An antenna module and an electronic device including the same.

In one general aspect, an antenna module includes a first antenna unit including at least one first patch antenna pattern, at least one first feed via electrically connected to the at least one first patch antenna pattern, and at least one first dielectric layer surrounding the at least one first feed via; a second antenna unit including at least one second patch antenna pattern, at least one second feed via electrically connected to the at least one second patch antenna pattern, and at least one second dielectric layer surrounding the at least one second feed via; a first connection portion; a first rigid substrate electrically connecting the first connection portion to the first antenna unit and having a first surface on which the first antenna unit is disposed; a base connection portion; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the first connection portion is disposed and a second surface on which the base connection portion is disposed, electrically connecting the first connection portion to the base connection portion, and being more flexible than the first rigid substrate; and an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate or a second surface of the first rigid substrate.

At least a portion of at least one of the first connection portion and the base connection portion may have a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one first feed via.

The antenna module may include an encapsulant encapsulating the IC; and a shielding member surrounding at least a portion of the encapsulant.

The IC may be electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate and may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the first connection portion.

A size of the at least one first patch antenna pattern may be smaller than a size of the at least one second patch antenna pattern.

The antenna module may include a second connection portion disposed on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and a second rigid substrate electrically connecting the second connection portion to the second antenna unit and having a first surface on which the second antenna unit is disposed.

The IC may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the first connection portion, and a thickness of the first rigid substrate may be greater than a thickness of the second rigid substrate.

A thickness of the first rigid substrate may be greater than a thickness of the flexible substrate.

A size of a portion of the first rigid substrate, which does not overlap the flexible substrate, may be greater than a size of a portion of the first rigid substrate, which does overlap the flexible substrate.

The first antenna unit and the second antenna unit may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and the at least one first patch antenna may include a plurality of first patch antenna patterns arranged in a second direction different from the first direction.

The first antenna unit and the second antenna unit may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and the flexible substrate may protrude in a second direction different from the first direction.

At least a portion of at least one of the first and second antenna units may overlap a portion of the flexible substrate that protrudes in the second direction.

The flexible substrate may have an L shape or a T shape.

The second antenna unit may include at least one second solder layer disposed between the flexible substrate and the at least one second dielectric layer, at least a portion of the at least one second solder layer having a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one second feed via, and at least a portion of the second antenna unit may overlap a portion of the flexible substrate protruding in the first direction.

The at least one first dielectric layer may include a plurality of first dielectric layers spaced apart from each other, and the first antenna unit may include a plurality of first solder layers each disposed between the first rigid substrate and a corresponding first dielectric layer among the plurality of first dielectric layers, at least a portion of the plurality of first solder layers having a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one first feed via.

In another general aspect, an electronic device includes a set substrate; and the antenna module described above, electrically connected to the set substrate, and receiving a base signal from or transmitting a base signal to the set substrate.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view illustrating an antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating a structure in which a flexible substrate of FIG. 1A is bent.

FIG. 1C is a side view illustrating an antenna module and a second rigid substrate according to an example.

FIG. 1D is a side view illustrating a structure in which a flexible substrate of FIG. 1C is bent.

FIG. 1E is a side view illustrating a structure in which the positions of first and second antenna units of an antenna module according to an example are interchanged.

FIG. 1F is a side view illustrating a structure in which a flexible substrate of FIG. 1E is bent.

FIG. 2A is a plan view illustrating an antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 2B is a plan view illustrating the connection of first and second connection portions of the antenna module of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a plan view illustrating a modified structure of a first antenna unit of an antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 2D is a plan view illustrating connection of a second connection portion in the antenna module of FIG. 2C.

FIGS. 2E and 2F are plan views illustrating a structure in which an IC of an antenna module according to an example is disposed on a lower surface of a rigid substrate.

FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating a first combined structure of first and second antenna units of an antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating a second combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 3C is a plan view illustrating a third combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 3D is a plan view illustrating a fourth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 3E is a plan view illustrating a fifth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

FIG. 3F is a plan view illustrating a sixth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are plan views illustrating respective layers of first and second rigid substrates of an antenna module according to an example.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are plan views illustrating electronic devices according to examples.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of functions and constructions that would be well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Herein, it is noted that use of the term “may” with respect to an example or embodiment, e.g., as to what an example or embodiment may include or implement, means that at least one example or embodiment exists in which such a feature is included or implemented while all examples and embodiments are not limited thereto.

Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.

Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or section from another member, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the examples.

Spatially relative terms such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower” may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as being “above” or “upper” relative to another element will then be “below” or “lower” relative to the other element. Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be oriented in other ways (for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, variations of the shapes illustrated in the drawings may occur. Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes illustrated in the drawings, but include changes in shape that occur during manufacturing.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. Further, although the examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

Subsequently, examples are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a side view illustrating an antenna module according to an example, and FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating a structure in which a flexible substrate of FIG. 1A is bent.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an antenna module according to an example may include a first antenna unit 100 a, a second antenna unit 200 b, a first connection portion 420 a, a first rigid substrate 150 a, a base connection portion 430, a flexible substrate 410, and an integrated circuit (IC) 310.

The first antenna unit 100 a may include a plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a, a plurality of first feed vias 120 a electrically connected to corresponding first patch antenna patterns among the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a, respectively, and at least one first dielectric layer 130 a surrounding the plurality of first feed vias 120 a.

Accordingly, the first antenna unit 100 a may remotely transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal in a normal direction (for example, a Z-direction) of upper surfaces of the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a. The gain of the first antenna unit 100 a may increase as the number of the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a increases.

For example, the first antenna unit 100 a further includes a plurality of third patch antenna patterns 112 a and may thus have different first and second bandwidths, and further includes a plurality of first coupling patch patterns 115 a and may thus have a first bandwidth with a further wide bandwidth.

The second antenna unit 200 b may include a plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b, a plurality of second feed vias 220 b electrically connected to corresponding second patch antenna patterns among the plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b, respectively, and at least one second dielectric layer 230 b surrounding the plurality of second feed vias 220 b.

Accordingly, the second antenna unit 200 b may remotely transmit and/or receive a Radio Frequency (RF) signal in a normal direction of upper surfaces of the plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b. A gain of the second antenna unit 200 b may be increased as the number of the plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b increases.

For example, the second antenna unit 200 b further includes a plurality of fourth patch antenna patterns 212 b, thereby having different first and second bandwidths, and further includes a plurality of second coupling patch patterns 215 b, thereby having a further wide second bandwidth.

For example, when the flexible substrate 410 is bent, the normal direction of the upper surfaces of the plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b and the normal direction (for example, a Z direction) of the upper surfaces of the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a may be different from each other.

Accordingly, the antenna module according to an example may remotely transmit and/or receive an RF signal in a plurality of different directions.

The first rigid substrate 150 a may electrically connect the first connection portion 420 a and the first antenna unit 100 a to each other and may provide an upper surface on which the first antenna unit 100 a is disposed.

The first rigid substrate 150 a may have a laminated structure in which at least one wiring layer and at least one insulating layer are alternately laminated. According to the laminated structure of the first rigid substrate 150 a, an electrical length between the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a and the IC 310 may be easily shortened. For example, the first rigid substrate 150 a may have a structure similar to that of a printed circuit board (PCB).

Since the RF signal has a relatively high frequency and a relatively short wavelength as compared with those of a base signal, in signal transmission, there may be relatively more loss in the RF signal than that of the base signal. Since the electrical length between the first antenna unit 100 a and the IC 310 may be reduced by the first rigid substrate 150 a, when the RF signal is transmitted between the IC 310 and the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a, transmission loss may of the RF signal may be reduced.

The first rigid substrate 150 a may further include a wire, a ground layer, a heat dissipation path, and/or a circuit, which may support operations (for example, frequency conversion, amplification, filtering, and phase control) of the IC 310, by increasing the number of wiring layers/insulating layers, performance of the IC 310 may be efficiently improved.

For example, a thickness of the first rigid substrate 150 a may be greater than a thickness of the flexible substrate 410. Accordingly, the first rigid substrate 150 a may further improve the performance of the IC 310.

The flexible substrate 410 provides an upper surface on which the first connection portion 420 a is disposed and a lower surface on which the base connection portion 430 is disposed, and electrically connects the first connection portion 420 a and the base connection portion 430 to each other, and may be configured to be more flexible than the rigid substrate 150 a.

For example, the flexible substrate 410 may have a structure similar to that of a flexible PCB, and may have a relatively flexible insulating layer such as a polyimide layer. In this case, the criterion of flexibility may be defined as an applied force when the measurement object is damaged by applying a force to the center of one surface of a measurement object having a unit size and gradually increasing the force until the measurement object is damaged (for example, cutting, cracks, or the like).

At least a portion of at least one of the first connection portion 420 a and the base connection portion 430 may have a melting point lower than a melting point of the plurality of first feed vias 120 a.

Accordingly, the first rigid substrate 150 a and the flexible substrate 410 may be attached to each other after being manufactured in separate processes, and the flexible substrate 410 and a set substrate 600 may be attached to each other after being manufactured in separate processes.

Therefore, since the arrangement relationship between the first rigid substrate 150 a and the flexible substrate 410 may be more free, the arrangement position and/or arrangement direction of the first antenna unit 100 a may be designed more freely. The first antenna unit 100 a efficiently transmits and receives the RF signal remotely by avoiding external obstacles, for example, other devices in an electronic device, the user's hand of an electronic device, or the like, due to the free positioning position and/or the direction of placement.

For example, the first connection portion 420 a and the base connection portion 430 may include tin-based solder having a relatively low melting point, and may have a structure such solder balls, pins, lands or pads.

The IC 310 is electrically connected to the flexible substrate 410 through a lower surface of the flexible substrate 410.

For example, the IC 310 may generate an RF signal by performing frequency conversion, amplification, filtering, phase control and the like on the base signal, and may generate the base signal from the RF signal in a similar principle. The base signal has a frequency lower than that of the RF signal, and may have a base band frequency or an intermediate frequency (IF) frequency.

For example, the IC 310 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the first connection portion 420 a. Accordingly, since the electrical length between the IC 310 and the first rigid substrate 150 a may be further reduced, the first rigid substrate 150 a may support the operation of the IC 310 more efficiently.

The size of each of the plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a may be smaller than that of each of the plurality of second patch antenna patterns 211 b.

Accordingly, the wavelength of the RF signal remotely transmitted and received by the first antenna unit 100 a may be shorter than a wavelength of the RF signal remotely transmitted and received by the second antenna unit 200 b.

Therefore, transmission loss between the IC 310 and the first antenna unit 100 a may be greater than transmission loss between the IC 310 and the second antenna unit 200 b. Since an electrical distance between the IC 310 and the first antenna unit 100 a is shorter than an electrical distance between the IC 310 and the second antenna unit 200 b, overall transmission loss between the IC 310 and the first and second antenna units 100 a and 200 b may be appropriate.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the antenna module according to an example may further include an encapsulant 320 encapsulating the IC 310, and a shielding member 330 surrounding at least a portion of the encapsulant 320. At least portions of the IC 310, the encapsulant 320 and the shielding member 330 may form an IC package 300.

For example, the encapsulant 320 may be implemented with a photo imageable encapsulant (PIE), an Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF), an epoxy molding compound (EMC), or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second antenna unit 200 b may further include a second solder layer 260 b disposed between the flexible substrate 410 and the second dielectric layer 230 b, at least a portion of the second solder layer 260 b having a melting point lower than a melting point of a plurality of second feed vias 220 b.

Accordingly, the second antenna unit 200 b may be directly mounted on the flexible substrate 410 without the rigid substrate, and may be more freely disposed on the flexible substrate 410 after being manufactured separately from the flexible substrate 410.

The first antenna unit 100 a may further include a first solder layer 125 a disposed between the first rigid substrate 150 a and the first dielectric layer 130 a and having a melting point at least partially lower than a melting point of the plurality of first feed vias 120 a.

Accordingly, the first antenna unit 100 a may be more freely disposed on the first rigid substrate 150 a after being separately manufactured from the first rigid substrate 150 a.

Due to the first and second solder layers 125 a and 260 b, the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b may be designed without considering structural compatibility with the flexible substrate 410, and may more easily have a dielectric constant higher than that of the flexible substrate 410.

For example, since the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b may be formed of ceramic, the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b may have a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of an insulating layer (for example, a polyimide layer) of the flexible substrate 410.

Effective wavelengths of RF signals in the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b may be reduced as the dielectric constants of the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b increase, and overall sizes of the first and second antenna units 100 a and 200 b may be further reduced as the effective wavelengths of the RF signals in the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b are reduced.

The gain of the first and second antenna units 100 a and 200 b may be further increased as the number of first and second patch antenna patterns 111 a and 211 b increases. The overall size of the first and second antenna units 100 a and 200 b may be proportional to the number of the first and second patch antenna patterns 111 a and 211 b.

Therefore, the gain compared to the sizes of the first and second antenna units 100 a and 200 b may be increased as the dielectric constants of the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b are increased.

Since the first and second dielectric layers 130 a and 230 b may be more easily implemented with a material having a relatively high dielectric constant, the antenna module according to an example may have a relatively high gain compared to the size.

FIG. 1C is a side view illustrating an antenna module and a second rigid substrate according to an example, and FIG. 1D is a side view illustrating a structure in which the flexible substrate of FIG. 1C is bent.

Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, the antenna module according to an example may further include a second connection portion 420 b and a second rigid substrate 150 b.

The second connection portion 420 b may be disposed on an upper surface of the flexible substrate 410 and may have characteristics similar to those of the first connection portion 420 a.

The second rigid substrate 150 b may be electrically connected between the second connection portion 420 b and the second antenna unit 100 b and may be provided on an upper surface on which the second antenna unit 100 b is disposed.

For example, a thickness of the first rigid substrate 150 a may be greater than a thickness of the second rigid substrate 150 b. For example, the first rigid substrate 150 a may include more wirings, ground layers, heat dissipation paths, and/or circuits that may support operations of the IC 310 than those of the second rigid substrate 150 b.

A second antenna unit 100 b may include a plurality of second patch antenna patterns 111 b, a plurality of second feed vias 120 b, a second dielectric layer 130 b, and may further include a plurality of fourth patch antenna patterns 112 b, a plurality of second coupling patch patterns 115 b and a second solder layer 125 b.

FIG. 1E is a side view illustrating a structure in which positions of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example are interchanged, and FIG. 1F is a side view illustrating a structure in which the flexible substrate of FIG. 1E is bent.

Referring to FIGS. 1E and 1F, the position of the first antenna unit 100 a and the position of the second antenna unit 100 b may be interchanged with each other. For example, a detailed position of the first antenna unit 100 a and a detailed position of the second antenna unit 100 b may be changed depending on the design.

FIG. 2A is a plan view illustrating an antenna module according to an example, FIG. 2B is a plan view illustrating connection of first and second connection portions in the antenna module of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2C is a plan view illustrating a modified structure of a first antenna unit of the antenna module according to an example, and FIG. 2D is a plan view illustrating connection of a second connection portion in the antenna module of FIG. 2C.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2C, a first connection portion 420 a may include a 1-1 connection portion 421 a and a 1-2 connection portion 422 a, and a second connection portion 420 b may include a 2-1 connection portion 421 b and a 2-2 connection portion 422 b.

The 1-1 connection portion 421 a and the 2-1 connection portion 421 b may be disposed on a flexible substrate 410, and the 1-2 connection portion 422 a may be disposed on a first dielectric layer or a first rigid substrate 150 a. The 2-2 connection portion 422 b may be disposed on a second dielectric layer or a second rigid substrate 150 b.

The 1-1 connection portion 421 a and the 1-2 connection portion 422 a may be attached to each other, and the 2-1 connection portion 421 b and the 2-2 connection portion 422 b may be attached to each other.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2D, a base connection portion 430 may include a first base connection portion 431 and a second base connection portion 432.

The first base connection portion 431 may be disposed on the flexible substrate 410, and the second base connection portion 432 may be disposed on a set substrate 600.

Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a may have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are arranged.

For example, the first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a may have a structure in which a plurality of first dielectric layers are spaced apart from each other.

For example, the first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a and the second rigid substrate 150 b of the second antenna unit are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, for example, a Y direction, and the flexible substrate 410 may protrude in a second direction, for example, an X direction.

The first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a may overlap a portion of the flexible substrate 410, protruding in the second direction.

For example, the flexible substrate 410 may have an L shape or a T shape.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, the first rigid substrate 150 a may include a 1-1 region 151 a overlapping the flexible substrate 410, and a 1-2 region 152 a not overlapping the flexible substrate 410, and the second rigid substrate 150 b may include a 2-1 region 151 b overlapping the flexible substrate 410, and a 2-2 region 152 b not overlapping the flexible substrate 410.

In this case, the 1-2 region 152 a may be larger than the 1-1 region 151 a, and the 2-2 region 152 b may be larger than the 2-1 region 151 b.

Accordingly, the antenna module according to an example may be disposed more freely on the flexible substrate 410 while having a 4×2 structure.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2D, an IC package 300 including an IC may be disposed on a lower surface of the flexible substrate 410.

Accordingly, an average first electrical distance between the IC and each first patch antenna pattern on the first rigid substrate 150 a, and an average second electrical distance between the IC and each second patch antenna pattern on the second rigid substrate 150 b may be relatively reduced overall, and thus, overall transmission loss between the IC and the first and second antenna units may be reduced.

When the IC package 300 including the IC is disposed on the lower surface of the flexible substrate 410, the flexible substrate 410 may block between the IC and the first or second rigid substrate 150 a or 150 b irrespective of the bending of the flexible substrate 410, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference between the IC and the first or second rigid substrate 150 a or 150 b, and improving the overall gain of the first and second antenna units.

FIGS. 2E and 2F are plan views illustrating a structure in which an IC of an antenna module according to an example is disposed on a lower surface of a rigid substrate.

Referring to FIG. 2E, an IC package 300 including an IC may be disposed on lower surfaces of the first and/or second rigid substrates 150 a and 150 b. In this case, the number of IC packages 300 may be plural.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the IC package 300 including an IC may be disposed on a lower surface of the second rigid substrate 150 b and/or a lower surface of the flexible substrate 410. In this case, the number of IC packages 300 may be plural.

FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating a first combined structure of first and second antenna units of an antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3A, first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are arranged, and a second antenna unit 100 b may have a structure in which a plurality of second patch antenna patterns 111 b and a plurality of second solder layers 125 b are arranged.

FIG. 3B is a plan view illustrating a second combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the first antenna unit 100 a may have a structure in which a plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a and a plurality of first solder layers 125 a are arranged.

FIG. 3C is a plan view illustrating a third combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3C, first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are arranged, and second antenna units 201 b, 202 b, 203 b and 204 b have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are arranged.

FIG. 3D is a plan view illustrating a fourth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3D, first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are disposed on the flexible substrate 410, and second antenna units 201 b, 202 b, 203 b and 204 b have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are disposed on the second rigid substrate 150 b.

FIG. 3E is a plan view illustrating a fifth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3E, first antenna units 201 a, 202 a, 203 a and 204 a have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are disposed on the flexible substrate 410, and a second antenna unit 100 b has a structure in which a plurality of second patch antenna patterns 111 b and a plurality of second solder layers 125 b are arranged.

FIG. 3F is a plan view illustrating a sixth combined structure of the first and second antenna units of the antenna module according to an example.

Referring to FIG. 3F, a first antenna unit 100 a may have a structure in which a plurality of first patch antenna patterns 111 a and a plurality of first solder layers 125 a are arranged, and a second antenna unit 100 b may have a structure in which a plurality of chip antennas are disposed on the flexible substrate 410.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are plan views illustrating respective layers of the first and second rigid substrates of the antenna module according to the example.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, a first ground plane 201 b may be disposed to be higher (in the Z direction) than a second ground plane 202 b, and the second ground plane 202 b may be disposed to be higher (in the Z direction) than a third ground plane 203 b.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the first ground plane 201 b may have a plurality of first and second through-holes TH1 and TH2 through which a plurality of first and second feed vias 121 b and 122 b penetrate, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the second ground plane 202 b may surround a plurality of first and second feed lines 221 b and 222 b.

The plurality of first and second feed lines 221 b and 222 b are electrically connected between the plurality of first and second feed vias 121 b and 122 b and a plurality of first and second wiring vias 231 b and 232 b.

A plurality of shield vias 245 b may be electrically connected to the second ground plane 202 b and may be arranged to surround the plurality of first and second feed lines 221 b and 222 b.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the third ground plane 203 b may have through-holes through which the plurality of first and second wiring vias 231 b and 232 b penetrate.

The plurality of first and second wiring vias 231 b and 232 b may be electrically connected to an IC disposed below the third ground plane 203 b.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are plan views illustrating electronic devices according to examples.

Referring to FIG. 5A, an antenna module including a first antenna unit 100 g and a first dielectric layer 1140 g may be disposed on a set substrate 600 g, and may be disposed in an electronic device 700 g according to an example.

The electronic device 700 g may be a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a digital video camera, a digital still camera, a network system, a computer, a monitor, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a netbook, a television set, a video game, a smartwatch, an automobile, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

A communication module 610 g and a second IC 620 g may be further disposed on the set substrate 600 g. The antenna module may be electrically connected to the communication module 610 g and/or the second IC 620 g through a coaxial cable 630 g.

The communication module 610 g may include at least a portion of a memory chip such as a volatile memory (for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), a nonvolatile memory (for example, a read only memory (ROM)), a flash memory, or the like; an application processor chip such as a central processor (for example, a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processor (for example, a graphics processing unit (GPU)), a digital signal processor, a cryptographic processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or the like; and a logic chip such as an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like, to perform digital signal processing.

The second IC 620 g may perform analog-to-digital conversion, amplification of an analog signal, filtering, and frequency conversion to generate a base signal. The base signal input and output from the second IC 620 g may be transmitted to the antenna module through the coaxial cable. For example, when the base signal is an IF signal, the second IC 620 g may be implemented as an Intermediate Frequency Integrated Circuit (IFIC). When the base signal is a baseband signal, the second IC 620 g may be implemented as a Base Band Integrated Circuit (BBIC).

For example, the base signal may be transmitted to the IC through an electrical connection structure, a core via, and a circuit wiring. The IC may convert the base signal into an RF signal in a millimeter wave (mmWave) band.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a plurality of antenna modules each including first antenna units 100 i may be disposed on a set substrate 600 i of an electronic device 700 i, to be disposed adjacent to one side boundary and the other side boundary of the electronic device 700 i, respectively, and a communication module 610 i and a second IC 620 i may be further disposed on the set substrate 600 i. The plurality of antenna modules may be electrically connected to the communication module 610 i and/or the second IC 620 i through a coaxial cable 630 i.

Referring to FIG. 5C, an electronic device 700 according to an example may include a set substrate 600 and a plurality of flexible substrates 410 a, 410 b and 410 c.

The plurality of flexible substrates 410 a, 410 b and 410 c may be electrically connected to a second rigid substrate 150 b or a second antenna unit 201 b. The second antenna unit 201 b may form a radiation pattern in a vertical direction, for example, a Z direction.

The plurality of flexible substrates 410 a, 410 b and 410 c may be electrically connected to a first rigid substrate 150 a or first antenna units 201 a and 204 a, respectively. As the plurality of flexible substrates 410 a, 410 b and 410 c are bent, the first antenna units 201 a and 204 a may respectively form radiation patterns in a horizontal direction, for example, in an X direction and/or a Y direction.

The first rigid substrate 150 a and the first antenna units 201 a and 204 a may be closer to the edge of the electronic device 700 than the second rigid substrate 150 b and the second antenna unit 201 b.

The patterns, vias, planes, and wiring layers provided herein may include a metal material, for example, a conductive material, such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof, and may be formed depending on a plating method, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), sputtering, subtractive, additive, a semi-additive process (SAP), a modified semi-additive process (MSAP), or the like, but examples thereof are not limited thereto. For example, the examples thereof may be changed depending on design specifications (for example, flexibility, a dielectric constant, ease of bonding between a plurality of substrates, durability, cost, or the like).

On the other hand, the insulating layer and/or the dielectric layer herein may be implemented using a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin such as prepreg, FR4, LTCC, LCP, polyimide, an epoxy resin or the like, or a resin in which these resins are impregnated into a core material such as glass fiber, glass cloth, glass fabric or the like, together with an inorganic filler, Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF), Bismaleimide Triazine (BT), Photo Imageable Dielectric (PID) Resin, a general Copper Clad Laminate (CCL), a ceramic-based insulating material, or the like.

The RF signals according to the examples may be used in various communications protocols such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family or the like), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family or the like), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPS, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, 3rd Generation (3G), 4G, 5G and various wireless and wired protocols designated thereafter, but an example thereof is not limited thereto. In this case, the frequency, for example, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 36 GHz, 39 GHz, or 60 GHz, of the RF signal is greater than the frequency, for example, 2 GHz, 5 GHz, 10 GHz or the like, of the IF signal.

As set forth above, according to the examples, antenna performance (for example, gain, a bandwidth, directivity, or the like) may be improved, or miniaturized structure may be provided. RF signal transmission and reception directions may be easily widened without substantially sacrificing antenna performance or size, and RF signals may be efficiently remotely transmitted and received by easily avoiding external obstacles, for example, other devices in an electronic device, the user's hand in the electronic device, or the like.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antenna module comprising: a first antenna unit comprising at least one first patch antenna pattern, at least one first feed via electrically connected to the at least one first patch antenna pattern, and at least one first dielectric layer surrounding the at least one first feed via; a second antenna unit comprising at least one second patch antenna pattern, at least one second feed via electrically connected to the at least one second patch antenna pattern, and at least one second dielectric layer surrounding the at least one second feed via; a first connection portion; a first rigid substrate electrically connecting the first connection portion to the first antenna unit and having a first surface on which the first antenna unit is disposed; a base connection portion; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the first connection portion is disposed and a second surface on which the base connection portion is disposed, electrically connecting the first connection portion to the base connection portion, and being more flexible than the first rigid substrate; and an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate or a second surface of the first rigid substrate.
 2. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first connection portion and the base connection portion has a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one first feed via.
 3. The antenna module of claim 1, further comprising: an encapsulant encapsulating the IC; and a shielding member surrounding at least a portion of the encapsulant.
 4. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the IC is electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate and disposed to overlap at least a portion of the first connection portion.
 5. The antenna module of claim 4, wherein a size of the at least one first patch antenna pattern is smaller than a size of the at least one second patch antenna pattern.
 6. The antenna module of claim 1, further comprising: a second connection portion disposed on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and a second rigid substrate electrically connecting the second connection portion to the second antenna unit and having a first surface on which the second antenna unit is disposed.
 7. The antenna module of claim 6, wherein the IC is disposed to overlap at least a portion of the first connection portion, and a thickness of the first rigid substrate is greater than a thickness of the second rigid substrate.
 8. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first rigid substrate is greater than a thickness of the flexible substrate.
 9. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein a size of a portion of the first rigid substrate, which does not overlap the flexible substrate, is greater than a size of a portion of the first rigid substrate, which does overlap the flexible substrate.
 10. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and the at least one first patch antenna includes a plurality of first patch antenna patterns arranged in a second direction different from the first direction.
 11. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and the flexible substrate protrudes in a second direction different from the first direction.
 12. The antenna module of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second antenna units overlaps a portion of the flexible substrate that protrudes in the second direction.
 13. The antenna module of claim 11, wherein the flexible substrate has an L shape or a T shape.
 14. The antenna module of claim 11, wherein the second antenna unit comprises at least one second solder layer disposed between the flexible substrate and the at least one second dielectric layer, at least a portion of the at least one second solder layer having a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one second feed via, and at least a portion of the second antenna unit overlaps a portion of the flexible substrate protruding in the first direction.
 15. The antenna module of claim 1, wherein the at least one first dielectric layer includes a plurality of first dielectric layers spaced apart from each other, and the first antenna unit comprises a plurality of first solder layers each disposed between the first rigid substrate and a corresponding first dielectric layer among the plurality of first dielectric layers, at least a portion of the plurality of first solder layers having a melting point lower than a melting point of the at least one first feed via.
 16. An electronic device comprising: a set substrate; and an antenna module electrically connected to the set substrate and configured to receive a base signal from, or to transmit a base signal to, the set substrate, wherein the antenna module includes: a first antenna unit comprising a plurality of first patch antenna patterns, a plurality of first feed vias electrically connected to corresponding first patch antenna patterns, respectively, among the plurality of first patch antenna patterns, and at least one first dielectric layer surrounding the plurality of first feed vias; a second antenna unit comprising a plurality of second patch antenna patterns, a plurality of second feed vias electrically connected to corresponding second patch antenna patterns, respectively, among the plurality of second patch antenna patterns, and at least one second dielectric layer surrounding the plurality of second feed vias; a first connection portion; a first rigid substrate electrically connecting the first connection portion to the first antenna unit and having a first surface on which the first antenna unit is disposed; a base connection portion electrically connected to the set substrate; a flexible substrate having a first surface on which the first connection portion is disposed and a second surface on which the base connection portion is disposed, electrically connecting the first connection portion to the base connection portion, and being more flexible than the first rigid substrate; and an integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected to the flexible substrate through the second surface of the flexible substrate or through a second surface of the first rigid substrate, the IC being configured to receive the base signal and transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal having a frequency higher than a frequency of the base signal to the first and second antenna units, or to receive a RF signal from the first and second antenna units and transmit the base signal to the set substrate. 